Running the Race of Faith with Perseverance

It’s hard to miss at the moment- 2024 is an Olympic year!

Daily headlines hit the socials, news streams run medal tallies, and interviews with athletes capture the Nation's heart. All emit overflowing passion and delight or the tearful, raw heartache of defeat.

After these games are finished, another four years will roll over before we once again champion and cheer on our exceptionally talented Paralympians and Olympians.

As a child, I often dreamed of what it would be like to compete at an Olympics: the rush of the air as you burst down the track, the roar of the stadium as you near the finish line, the welling up of emotions as you accept your medal.

I was a fast runner in school, proudly holding the title ‘the fast kid’, with the 1200m at Sports Day being my pet event. I was good. I won races frequently.

But then, reality.

The journey these athletes go on, the taming and discipline of their bodies and minds, is intense! Achieving the pinnacle of sporting success requires complete, unwavering commitment. A training regime is adhered to, and everything you eat is calculated to deliver the utmost nourishment. A coach holds you accountable, giving critique, challenge and encouragement. It all sounds like very hard work!

And the end result, well, if you’re the best of the best, you might have a chance to compete, and even then, a medal is not guaranteed. For many, the weighing-up of rigorous training for a potential shot at Olympic glory versus eating takeout and having a social life sees the majority choose the easier path!

But that is also what makes the Olympics so very special!

These athletes did not give up.

They stayed the course.

They deserve the accolades, win, lose, or draw.

As a follower of Jesus, we are given some sporting metaphors from the Apostle Paul, who writes in 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 (NIV)

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Paul puts on the coach’s hat, cheering on all who would follow after Jesus, shouting encouragement to us, to be those who discipline one’s body and mind.

The prize we run for is not a medal made of human hands, but life eternal with God the Father. Run in such a way as to get the prize.

The fascinating thing here is that, in contrast to an athlete, the end result - winning the prize - is not dependent on where we place as we cross the finish line, but rather on our simply crossing the finish line. It is a call to us saying, ‘don’t give up.’

Life will throw at us challenges, we will fall down, and sometimes we will get up with bloodied knees.

But get up.

Keep on running.

Keep on running in such a way as to get the prize.

The writer of Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) says,

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Many have gone before us in the faith, and many will come after us. So, fix your eyes on Jesus. Develop discipline in your heart and mind. Get a coach, and if you’re looking for one, go to church or do life in Christian community! Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that ‘iron sharpens iron’, in other words to be with like-minded individuals.

Read your Bible. Don’t have one? Ask me for one. Don’t know how to read it? I’ll show you.

Find a safe, trusted person to ask questions of. Learn. Listen. Follow Godly example.

Run the race mapped out before you, keeping your eyes on Jesus. He is the one whom we ought to strive after, and He is the one beckoning us to come.

Blessings,

Adam Wood
Director of Faith Formation and Wellbeing